After weeks of uncertainty surrounding their futures, the senior core of the FEU Lady Tamaraws has made a unified decision and that is to stay one more year in Morayta.
Instead of moving on to the professional ranks or joining a star-studded PVL rookie class, Gerz Petallo, Jaz Ellarina, Aly Devosora, Marga Encarnacion, and Mitzi Panangi have all committed to one final UAAP campaign, giving FEU a rare continuity boost heading into Season 89.
The collective decision comes in the aftermath of a frustrating Season 88 run, where the Lady Tamaraws fell short of a third straight Final Four appearance amid stretches of inconsistency. For the seniors, the unfinished climb proved too significant to walk away from just yet.
Petallo was the first to confirm her return after openly considering whether her collegiate career had reached its end following FEU’s near-miss postseason push. The veteran outside hitter admitted the decision required time and reflection, especially with professional volleyball opportunities within reach.
“Tagal ko po talaga inisip at napagdesisyunan to. But ang masasagot ko lang po is my heart is still [with] green and gold. I’m not yet fulfilled,” Petallo said.
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MORAYTA’S SENIORS TO STAY
Gerz Petallo, Jaz Ellarina, Aly Devosora, Marga Encarnacion and Mitzi Panangin are all staying put for FEU’s #UAAPSeason89 women’s volleyball campaign. #UAAPSeason88 @spinph pic.twitter.com/WMkn7bLzPA
— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) May 24, 2026
FEU’s struggles last season weighed heavily on the senior group, particularly the team’s inability to sustain momentum throughout the campaign.
“Masakit po siya para sa akin, yung season po na ‘to na mababa po kami sa ranking. Lalo na hindi nakapasok sa Final Four,” she said.
Still, Petallo emphasized that the experience served as a turning point rather than an ending.
“But yung silver lining po nito, madami po kaming natutunan sa season na ‘to,” she added.
One of the clearest issues identified was FEU’s inconsistency from game to game — a flaw the seniors are determined to correct in their final run.
“Nakita namin na inconsistent po yung laruan. Biglang baba, taas, baba, taas. Yan po yung pag-aaralan namin kung paano namin may iiwasan next season. Paano maging resilient and maging consistent pa,” the senior player of FEU Lady Tamaraws said.
Petallo will not be leading the charge alone. Ellarina, Devosora, Encarnacion, and Panangi have also confirmed their return, reinforcing FEU’s veteran presence across multiple positions. For Ellarina, the decision was also tied to leadership and unfinished personal growth within the program.
“I’ll play one more year pa po. Di pa po ako ready iwanan FEU,” Ellarina said.
The middle blocker added that she plans to take on a stronger leadership role while regaining her confidence on the court.
“Siguro I’ll start with being a leader talaga, by setting good examples in and out the court para ma-inspire mga kasama ko na mas maging better each day, lalo na yung mga bata,” she said.
“Mas gusto kong maging aggressive and composed at the same time at ibalik din yung confidence na nawala sakin last season.”
With all seniors opting to stay, FEU enters Season 89 with something rare in modern collegiate volleyball, a fully intact veteran core.
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